York Region Parent - Reviews

Itzbeen

2008-07-03T21:59:00.003-04:00

If only I had known about the Itzbeen with my first child. It would have made keeping track of changing, feeding and sleeping much easier and neater. We used notebooks, loose sheets of paper and the computer (that I would have boot up everytime I had something new to add) with my first child. None of these methods even begin to compare with the amazing invention of the Itzbeen.

The Itzbeen is a small portable device that runs on batteries in order to help new parents keep track of their babies needs. There is a handy clip on the back so that it can clip to you wherever you go and a backlight so that it can be used conveniently during the night. There are also different alarm options available and a nursing reminder to help a nursing Mom remember which side she last nursed on. A night light is conveniently built into the Itzbeen in order to help you guide your way during those night time feedings.

It is very obvious that this incredible tool was created by a Mom and Dad who knew exactly how to make life easier as a new parent.

The Itzbeen is a must have for all new parents and would make a very practical yet unique gift!

Check out their online store locator right now!

TickleTickle--Just Add Baby

2008-06-17T19:57:00.001-04:00

TickleTickle.com is a Canadian business run by two Moms following their dreams together.

Their online store has everything from diaper bags for Dads to items for Moms, babies and children. They have all bases covered from books to bags to toys to cups and spoons.

The TickleTickle.com website is very user friendly, colourful and funky! Beware, because you could get caught up for quite a while checking out all of their awesome and unique merchandise.

They even offer free shipping on all Canadian orders of over $150.

We had the opportunity to take an in person look at the Babysitter Notepad and the Weekly Menu Pad. Although the Babysitter Pad certainly requires a good sense of humour, both organizers allow sufficient space for entering the required info and the menu pad is magnetic! What great organizing resources for parents!

Here's a great review of the Hooter Hider from Tickle Tickle:

As a new nursing mother I can not tell you how much I love my Hooter Hider. It gave me the confidence to feed my baby anytime, anywhere! Before I used the Hooter Hider, I did purchase an imitation that was made from what I think was a felt fabric, but it was so hot that nursing became frustrating!

Out of all the baby must-have The Hooter Hider is definitely in my top 10 things a new mom needs. They are stylish, practical and the perfect solution for privacy for a nursing mom.

Mabels Labels

2008-06-10T09:42:00.003-04:00

Two of our York Region Parent readers who have signed up as product reviewers were lucky enough to receive free samples of Mabel's Labels and here are their "real mom reviews".

Review #1
I love Mabel's Labels and have used them on all sorts of my daughter's things. They are great for shoes and hats that go to and from school, sippy cups and snack plates too. I used them on a few of her clothes as well as on her backpack. They are durable and last through the washing machine, not to mention the wear and tear of an almost 3 year old! The colours are great and the little pictures are adorable. You can really reflect your child while keeping things that belong to them! I would definitely recommend them to other and will be getting some for our younger daughter once she is older.
Review #2
I am in love with the idea of labelling pretty much everything in our house now, thanks to Mabel's Labels. The shoe labels and the classic stickies were our favourite products. The shoe label made is easy for our little guy to identify his shoes in a big tub of shoes at nursery school.

The classic stickies are great on our new Sigg bottle, which since is so expensive we didn't want to lose! We have used the classic stickies on everything from books, suntan lotion and anything that leaves our house! I can't wait to buy some more Mabel's Labels!

Editor's Note: I want to thank all the gang at Mabel's Labels for recently sending a gift certificate for $45 for a charity event we are helping fund raise for. Thanks to Mabel's Labels we are able to help KC's Cancer Cushion Fund Raise money to help financially help people with
cancer. Yeah for Mabel's Labels!!

Sex and The City: The Movie - Book from Harper Collins

2008-05-31T08:20:00.003-04:00

I think I might have been the only Sex and The City fan who didn't see the movie last night! But, I did get a sneak peek at the divine book "Sex and The City: The Movie".

This beautiful book features mouth-watering bonus features not available anywhere else: behind-the-scenes stories from Kim Cattrall, Kristin Davis, Cynthia Nixon, star and producer Sarah Jessica Parker, writer and director Michael Patrick King, as well as producers and other key cast and crew members.

What a lovely book for SATC fans. With over 300 pages about the movies plot, fashion and SATC's guide to NYC, "Sex and The City: The Movie" is the-must-have book for all you die hard fans.

The pages are filled with every out fit each lady wore, with the designer listed as well -- so you can find that gorgeous Norma Kamali bathing suit Miranda wore or what shoes Carrie is wearing!!

I'm glad I got a sneak peek of the book before I head out to the movies to watch my girls. But, warn you the book does give away the plot -- so if you don't want to know what happens then buy the book after you see the movie.

* Bonus -- win a copy of the "Sex and The City: The Movie" book, autographed by SJP* You can enter here*

Thank you to Harper Collins for our copy of this wonderful book. We are donating the copy to KC's Cancer Cushion Fund's 2nd annual Pub Night to help families with cancer and need a little financial help!

Alli's Originals

2008-05-30T10:00:00.004-04:00

Alli's Originals is one of our favourite companies that we have had the pleasure of dealing with. Based in Toronto Alli creates personalized sterling silver jewellery with hand stamped necklaces, bracelets, charms and keyrings. Two years ago we got my Mother In Law the darling discs for Mother's Day and we loved everything about our experience, from the ordering process, price and the gift itself!

With our family now happily complete myself and my husband (yes, she does men's jewellery) both now have mementos of our children on our necklaces.

I have the wonderful darling discs with my little ones names and my husband has two hand cut bars with the kids names and birth days on them.

If you are looking for a very hip and stylish gift for Father's Day or a present for a new dad check out Alli's Originals.

Also, visit York Region Parent to enter to win a gift certificate.

Safetytat--just in case

2008-05-30T06:43:00.002-04:00

With summer quickly approaching and many trips to the zoo, amusement parks and water parks in your future, wouldn't you feel better knowing that if, you found yourself in the unfortunate situation where your child gets distracted and wanders off, there was a way that they could contact you?

Well, Safteytat has the solution. They have come up with temporary tattoos that have a phone number where you can be reached. These tattoos are FDA approved, durable and at the same time, temporary.

Whether your child goes on a field trip or you are taking the family to the zoo together, there is always that possibility that your child could be separated from the group. If your cell phone number were on a tattoo that was placed on your child's arm, they could point that out to someone who could help them.

These tattoos are great for children who are too young to communicate a phone number or who may be extremely intimidated to talk to strangers in such a situation.

The tattoos come in nine different child friendly designs that can be customized with any phone number. They last approximately 2-3 days and help put your mind at ease.

We think that these tattoos are a terrific investment for this upcoming summer!

Just Buzzin' By

2008-05-22T09:16:00.004-04:00

So this morning as I was feeding my daughter breakfast, and by feeding I mean her throwing the spoon on the floor and getting cereal EVERYWHERE I thought, there has to be something to protect my floors.

I went onto the Just Buzzin' By website to check out their gear. I was looking for and found nfant and toddler meal time accessories thatare FUNctional, fashionable, and non-toxic. Their products are free of PVC, Phthalates and lead.

The splat mats are a great size, especialy when your little one is discovering gravity! Celebrity moms that enjoy Just Buzzin' By's products include Halle Berry who sent a thank you note when she recieved a bib from them!

Z'fina: babywearing for mom & dad

2008-05-19T08:07:00.004-04:00

We are such fans of babywearing in our house. The two slings I owned though up until now had been a little too feminine and not sized correctly for my husband. So, when we got to try out the man sling™ from Canadian company, Z'fina we were intrigued.

These baby slings are designed with men in mind and are made with athletic breathable fabrics - perfect for daddy and baby. My husband loved wearing our baby around the house and out and about. It created a closeness and specialness for both him and our baby. He was able to take out our toddler and baby easily (as we all know that can be a challenge!). He said he felt, "confident and cool"babywearing and all the mom commented how amazing it was that he was wearing his little one.

The man sling™ from Z'fina is well made and durable. The fabric wipes down easily so cleaning your sling is quick. Z'fina is carried in many stores in Canada and you can buy online.

~~~

Congratulations to Vicky from Newmarket who won a Z'fina man sling™

Simply Colors

2008-05-07T07:00:00.000-04:00

Simply Colors is a company that creates personalized, colourful clothing for newborns up to 8 year olds. They have 11 trendy colours in t-shirts, onesies, rugby and polo shirts, hoodies, dresses, pants, baby hats, socks and tights. Most of the clothing can be personalized using a selection of 13 different fonts and 14 different font colours.

The Simply Colors website is extremely user friendly, allowing the customer to view their product exactly how it will appear on their final purchase. The products are shipped within 1 to 3 business days of receiving the order.

I would definitely promote using Simply Colors to create meaningful, personalized clothing as gifts for new babies and children. Their service is unique and their products will be proudly worn!

Clippo hair clips from Clippopotamus

2008-05-05T15:58:00.000-04:00

I'm new to this whole little girl thing, with matching outfits, ribbons and bows! At first I wasn't sure about it but I am starting to have fun and accessorize my little one!

I am really excited to have found another amazing mom-run company located in the GTA that is doing great things. Clippo hair clips from Clippopotamus are super-cute hair clips for babies, toddlers and mommies alike.

Like their tagline says, " Like hippos in the wild, Clippos may look cute, but their bite is fierce" And they mean it. I used a teeny clip one my 6 month old and despite having pretty much peach-fizz still the clip stayed in! I can't tell you how many people commented on the cuteness of the clip while out last week.

We love the fact that there is a size and colour for every age and that Clippopotamus is now offering a range of other very stylish accessories.

With prices starting at just over a dollar... that's right a dollar(!) for something handmade Clippos are going to be big news in this wild maket of baby & kids products. They accept custom orders as well -- so if you need a special design just contact them and they'll get back to you fast!

Gorgeously Green

2008-04-30T09:21:00.001-04:00

Green is the new black! Many us don't want to compromise fashion and style, but also want an eco-friendly and healthy lifestyle. While I've read many other books on green lifestyle, Gorgeously Green, by Sophie Uliano is the best one by far.

The best part about Gorgeously Green is that Sophie points out problems and gives you real world solutions and products that fix the problem! This is above and beyond any other book on the subject!

Case andGorgeously Green point; Sophie points out that the chemicals we are using to clean our house are in fact making us sick and then suggests eco-friendly alternatives to cleaning including brands and names so you can shop with ease. She also includes are recipes to create your own safe cleaning products!

You can still wear make-up and be eco-fabulous. Sophie suggests lines and products that are safe to wear! From foundations, to shampoo, to fair-trade shopping and everything in between

Sophie's book is genius! I mean, if you can get Julia Roberts (touted as a real eco-friendly star!) to write your forward then you must be doing something right. Whether you are Julia Roberts in Hollywood or Julia Smith in Richmond Hill or if you are a newbie in this whole 'green' world or an eco-holic this is a excellent book!

More resources to help you...

* Green Mom Finds

* Gorgeously Green

Canadian Resource - Green Mom

Campaign For Safe Cosmetics

A must-visit site! Skin Deep - The Environmental Working Groups's Database

Type is a product and you can see what chemicals are in it and on a scale of 1-10 of how harmful these chemicals are.(Check out the baby bath products or what about diaper cream)

The EWG's Safety Guide To Children's Personal Care Products

Parent's buying guide

Printable PDF guide

Brand buying guide

Ingredients to avoid

Neat Solutions

2008-04-14T21:13:00.000-04:00

Though we are all trying to be more environmentally friendly, sometimes convenience becomes a necessity as a parent. Neat Solutions is a company with many convenient products for parents on the go.
They sell table toppers, potty toppers and floor toppers, to name a few.

What are toppers, you may ask? They are disposible (we recognize that this is not the best choice for our environment, but at times are a necessity for our childrens' safety) "toppers" that cover a surface to protect your child from harmful germs, for example, restaurant tables and public toilets.

Neat Solutions products are convenient and easy to use. They are practical for the busy, on the go parent. Their products are colourful and durable.

We had the opportunity to test out their disposible bibs, xl changing pads, all-in-one meal kits and table toppers.

The all-in-one meal kits contain everything a parent needs for a meal away from home, including a Sip Cup & No-Drip Spout, a Table Topper® Stick-in-Place Placemat, a Bib with Crumb Catcher, an Elmo Fork and a Big Bird Spoon. What an exciting surprise for your little on when they are eating out!

The table topper has convenient peel and stick lines to secure the placement to the table and is a large size in order to cover a large surface area for spills and food that misses the plate. My daughter loved the fun designs on the placement. This kept her happy until some food came along to distract her.

Neat Solutions bibs are leak proof and have a crumb catcher to contain messes. They are resealable and have colourful designs. We tried ours out on our 2 1/2 year old and it stayed in place beautifully, covering her entire front side. It was perfect when we went out to a restaurant and left our regular bib at home. I keep these in my diaper bag in case of "emergencies".

I am really not one for disposable anything. I try really hard to be conscious of what I am using and buying and why. But, I have made an exception! I have been using disposable change table covers from Neat Solutions when using public change tables. These have come in really hand a few times when I didn't want to put my change mat down on the table. I am able to change my baby quickly, easily and hygienically while out and about. These are a really 'neat solution' for day trips or when you'll be visiting public and unfortunately not-so-clean restrooms.

Storyboards by CANE Innovations

2008-04-09T13:06:00.000-04:00

I love finding up and coming companies to share with York Region Parent readers. An on Sunday I attended the Mompreneur Spring Trade Show in Toronto and found that company! Storyboards by CANE Innovations is an amazing new family run company that creates handmade growth charts with a difference! These are not just any growth charts -- they are Storyboards of your child's life. The Storyboards are 5 feet tall and handpainted, with a place to hold precious keepsakes including

child's first tooth,
lock of hair,
and hospital bracelet.

AS well as a place holder to hold your child's first shoes, a customized tag with their name and 4 picture frames adds a personal touch.

On the back is a growth chart to mark through the years and places to record their milestones, including their first words, birth weight and height, time of birth, age for crawling, walking and talking.

Cogatulations to CANE Innovations! You can visit them this weekend at the Babytime show.

Today's Parent Babytime Show
Fri   April 11,  10am to 6pm
Sat  April 12,  10am to 6pm
                 Sun April 13,  10am to 6pm
International Centre
6900 Airport Road
Booth 520

Hand Picked Pumpkin

2008-03-25T15:11:00.000-04:00

Sometimes shopping online isn't that exciting, but Hand Picked Pumpkin has changed all that. From creating your own customized outfit for your little one to when it arrives it the mail, it truly is a fun experience.

The past month has been an exciting month for the Illinois based company, as their custom made designs ended up being worn by Angela Basset's twins on the Oprah Winfrey show!

Hand Picked Pumpkin is different from all the rest! They create custom designed clothing and accessories for babies and toddlers. It is truly a fun an interactive shopping experience.

Everything from burp clothes, onesies, rompers, hoodies, pants and more. You simply choose the pieces you would like made and then choose which fabrics you would like -- everything from hip and cool to cute and girly.

Visit Hand Picked Pumpkin for more information and to order your custom kids clothing.

Zosephine: THE Diaper Bag!

2008-03-19T13:12:00.000-04:00

Finding the right diaper bag for you is essential as a new mom! Don't laugh but it's taken me nearly 3 years to actually find one! I have found the perfect diaper bag. There is no other one for me. This is it! I am in love...

As a busy mom with a newborn and a toddler I have a fair bit to carry for each little one and I also keep some essentials in the bag for me (imagine that!). Zosephine diaper bags based in Chapel Hill North Carolina are the perfect size to fit everything I need without looking like I am carrying the kitchen sink. It's small enough that I don't overload it with tonnes of things and big enough to carry what I need. (Size 14"x12"x5")

The very kind people at Zosephine sent me the St. Paul Diaper Bag to try out. For the past 2 weeks I've been using this very stylish diaper bag and my favourite things about the bag are

There is a little pocket right when you open the flap for your cell phone. So now when mine rings I know where it is and I actually answer it!
The strap! Mine is bright and cheery and making me think of spring, but what is best is that it is adjustable so I can wear over my shoulder or and a purse.
The Inside of the bag is white nylon for easy cleaning, and even better the white lining makes it so easy to see what is in your bag!

I really can't say enough about Zosephine's diaper bags and how stylish and functional these bags are. They sum it up best when they say their bags are "Funky, but not granola; Modern but not sterile and definitely not cutesie pink!"

Daddyo Productions

2008-03-10T13:55:00.000-04:00

You know when you take a perfect picture of your child, but the background is not what you'd like it to be or there is just something a little off? Well, I took a perfect first smile picture of my 2 month old a little while ago and all was perfect, except that I took it on her change table and you can actually ready the safety instructions on the table.

What's a mom to do? You can turn to the experts at Daddyo Productions to help make your picture really perfect. As they say a picture is worth a thousand words -- so I will let the before and after speak for themseleves.

Before

AfterAfter - With White Background

Daddyo Productions provides professional retouching, restoration and enhancements to photographs in original or digital format. It's easy to do. You just send in your photos and let them work their magic!!

They also do fun photo enhancements! They can do anything; put your baby in a flower, or make cool pop art!